bailey



(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1. F. M. BAILEY. ROTARY ENGINE.

(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Shet 2.

F. M. BAILEY.

ROTARY ENGINE.

N0. 533,406. Patented Jan. 29, 1895.

ilNrrs STATES ATENT FFIQE? FRANK M. BAILEY, OF LIMA, NEW YORK, ASSIGNORTO THE BAILEY ENGINE COMPANY, OF SAME PLACE.

ROTARY ENGINE.

QPEGIFIGATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 533,406, dated January29, 1895..

Application filed June 16, 1894.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, FRANK M. BAILEY, of Lima, in the county ofLivingston and State of New York, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Rotary Engines; and I do hereby declare the following tobe a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as willenable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and usethe same.

This invention relates to a new and improved rotary engine and isspecially designed as an improvement on my form of engine shown anddescribed inLetters Patent No. 484,769, dated October 25, 1892.

The principal objects of the present inventron are, first, to render theengine capable of quick or instant reversal of operation; second,

to compensate for wear or friction; third, to prevent any retardation ofthe movement of the engine by reason of any dead steam or such utilizedsteam as is retained in the cylinder after the exhaust port has beenpassed; and,fourth,to increase the general efficiency and simplify theconstruction of parts.

To these ends the invention comprises the novel features ofconstruction, and the detail combination and arrangement of parts,substantially as hereinafter fully set. forth and particularly pointedout in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings:-Figure 1 1s a perspective view with one ofthe cylinder heads removed. Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view. Fig. 3is a longitudinal sectional view.

Fig. 4 shows one of the piston'plates and its wing in detail. Fig. 5 isa top plan View of the valve seat. Figs. 6 and 7 are, respectively, topand bottom plan views of the valve. Fig. 8 is a detail.

Referring to the drawings, A designates the piston cylinder or circularchamber, and a a suitable base to which said cylinder or chamber may besecured, or it may be made integral therewith. One end of this cylinderis closed by a head-plate a which is rigidly secured thereto, and isprovided with a stufing box a coincident with an eccentrically locatedhole or opening through which the main driving shaft B is projected.From the top of this cylinder extends a circular enlargement b, fromwhich at diametrically opposite points extend lateral branches orenlargements b Serial No. 514.780. (N0 model.)

which are formed integral with the opposite sides of said cylinder A.Each of these branches or enlargements b is provided with two separateports or passage-ways O, O, the ports or passage-ways O being outside ofthe ports 0. These latter ports 0', constitute the exhaust ports, Whilethe ports 0 are essentially the inlet ports, but are alternatelyemployed as auxiliary exhaust ports for backpressure relief. Theopenings of these ports O at their inner ends on the surface of the boreof cylinder A are preferably elongated or substantially at right anglesto the openings of the exhaust ports 0'. In a slot and suitablecorrespondingly formed lateral depressions in the top ofthe innersurface of the cylinder A is located a compensating friction plate Dagainst which the piston is designed to bear and by the ad justment ofwhich compensation is had for loss by friction. This plate has two setsof lateral wings d (see Fig. 8) which fit in corresponding depressionsin the top of the cylinder, and is also provided with two upwardly 7 5extending slightly flared flanges d, which fit in the slot in thecylinder. Said slot being slightly smaller than the width of saidflanges the latter firmly bind therein and hold the plate rigidly inplace. On the top of these flanges rests a plate 01 against which aredesigned to bear adjusting screws (17. for regulating the position ofthe friction plate D as the wear thereof or the piston may rendernecessary. 8 E is a piston-head or wheel which is firmly secured to orformed integral with the operating shaft B. In this piston-head or wheelare formed two opposite longitudinal slots e which extend from end toend of said head or wheel and from the surface of said shaft to theperiphery of the piston-head. In these slots are designed to fit twocorresponding plates F in each of which are formed two holes oropeningsf which extend to near the 5 outer longitudinal edges of saidplates and in which and corresponding coincident holes f in shaft B aredesigned to fit hollow tubes f in each of which is located a coil springf and two end-lugsf These springs in said to) tubes hold the end-lugstight against the outer ends of the holes f of said plates F tending toforce the two plates apart or away from each other. The outerlongitudinal edge of each plate F has formed therewith a knuckle orpartially rounded flange g which is designed to fit in a correspondinglyformed socket g on the inner surface of a wing 9 Thus a pivotalconnection is had for these wings with the plates F. The end-portions ofthese wings are of equal width, as shown in Fig. 4,

while at their centers said wings are reduced leaving a narrow neck orconnecting portion 9 The spring-pressed lugs located in the openings inplates F serving to force the latter outward, consequently constantlyhold the pivoted wings tight against the inner circumference of thepiston cylinder A. These wings being pivoted readily conform to thesurface of the said cylinder and the action of the steam against theunder side of either wing serves to bind the latter firm against thesaid cylinder surface. It will be seen that the piston-head or wheel iseccentrically mounted in its cylinder and that its contact is with theupper contact plate D located at the top of said cylinder. Hence byadjusting said plate compensation is readily had for any upper wear.

In order to compensate for end-wear I employ a follower-plate H which isof circular form and has an eccentrically located opening for thepassage of shaftB. This follower fits snug against one end of thepiston-head or wheel and coincident with its opening projects a threadedhub h. Next to this follower-plate are two split ring-washers It solocated that they will have brake joints. These split washers are heldfirm, one against the end of the piston-head, by an adjusting nut 77?,which is externally threaded to engage a female thread h on the innersurface of the piston-cylinder. By turning this adjusting nut thewashers are firmly bound in place and a steam-tight joint is obtained.The cylinder-head 77, is then secured in place and a jam nut 71, isscrewed upon the projecting threaded hub of the follower and bearingfirmly against the piston-head tends to bind all of the parts firmlytogether. A stuffing box It is located on the projecting end of thethreaded hub of said follower. Any end-wear of the piston-head or wheelis readily taken up by the removal of the cylinder-head h and thereadjustment of the nut h Ashort finger 71 projecting from thecylinder-head 71, engages a grooved flange 7L8 of the follower plate,holding the latter as against turning.

I J is the steam inlet valve located in an inclosing casingj firmlysecured to the circular enlargement b of cylinder A and having itsoperating stemj extending upward through a stuffing box j and providedwith an operating handle 7' The steam inlet pipej opens into this casingnear the upper end thereof and above the valve. In the latter is formeda steam-inlet port 7' and in its under side is an exhaust chamber 3'which is closed at the top and open at the bottom. This chamber isdesigned to form the connection between either of the main exhaust portsand the auxiliary relief port and the outlet port K formed in thevalve-seat and with which connects a pipe K for conveying offexhaust-steam. Two shoulders 70, 7c, are formed on the periphery of thisvalve, the same being designed to engage a suitable stop 7c in thevalve-casing to limit the movement of the valve in either direction.

To start the engine the operator turns the valve J causing its port 3'to register with one of the steam supply or inlet ports 0. When in thisposition the adjacent exhaust port 0' is closed, while the main exhaustport K and the opposite exhaust port 0' and its adjacent port 0, whichis now serving as an auxiliary relief, are thrown into communication bythe exhaust chamber y in the under side of the valve J.

To instantly reverse the operation of the engine it is only necessaryfor the operator to turn the valve so as to t'hrowthe inlet port 3' intoline with the other steam inlet port 0, which was before serving as anauxiliary exhaust, closing its adjacent port 0, and opening up thepreviously closed port 0 and the port 0 which was previously used as asupply port, thus throwing these two latter ports into communicationwith the main outlet port K, the port 0 previously used for supplyingsteam now serving as an auxiliary exhaust for back-pressure. In this waythe operation of the engine can be instantly reversed, or by moving thevalve only one-half of the limited distance the operation of the enginecan be instantly stopped.

The operation of my improved rotary engine will be apparent to thoseskilled in the art, as will also the advantages thereof. It will be seenthat steam being admitted through either one of the ports C will fillthe space between one of the plates F and its wings and the innercircumference of the piston-cylinder or chamber and instantly cause therotation of the piston-head and rotary-shaft B. As the wing of eitherplate F passes the exhaust port 0' steam is permitted to escapetherethrough and as the piston continues its revolution any backpressure is relieved through the auxiliary-relief which is formed by theother steam port 0. By making the pivoted wings in the manner described,that is, with a central narrowed connecting neck, no impediment orcessation in the operation of the engine is experienced as the saidwings pass over the steam-inlet ports, which latter are not closed bythe passage of said wings. The wings being-pivoted they will instantlyturn in the desired direction according to the revolution of the pistonhead, and the steam acting against the under side of either wing willbind the same tight against the surface of the cylinder.

By means of my improved rotary engine a very rapid rotation of the shaftis obtained and the direction of rotation of said shaft can be changedinstantly by simply moving the valve-stern handle. In addition to thisadvantage all friction caused by wear both at the top and the end of thepiston-head or wheel is readily compensated for by the means shown anddescribed.

I claim as my invention 1. The combination with the piston head orwheel,of the cylinder therefor,having an upper extension or enlargementforming a valve seat and two sets of opposite ports opening at theirends at the top of said extension and on the interior of said cylinder,the circular valve fitted on said seat having a single-steaminlet portextending therethrough and an exhaust chamber in its under side designedto coincide with both ports on one side of said cylinder when the saidstea m-inlet port is coincident with one of said ports on the other sideof said cylinder, the stem for said valve, the inclosing case secured tosaid extension, and the operating handle secured to said valvestem,substantially as set forth.

2. In a rotary engine, the piston-head or wheel, the cylinder thereforhaving an upper circular extension, a casing fitting on said extensionhaving a steam supply pipe opening thereinto, and an upper centralopening, steam inlet and exhaust ports leading from each side of the topof said extension and opening at their lower ends into said cylinder,

the circular valve fitted on the upper end of said circular extensionhaving an inlet port and an exhaust chamber, the vertical stem extendingfrom said valve through said central opening in said casing, and theexhaust pipeleading from one side of said circular extension,substantially as set forth, the said inlet port of said valve beingdesigned to register with one of said ports 011 one side of saidcylinder, while the exhaust chamber of said Valve is coincident withboth ports on the other side thereof, as stated.

3. In a rotary engine, the cylinder provided with steam-inlet and outletports, the piston head or wheel having two opposite slots, plates fittedin said slots having coincident holes therein, tubes fitted in saidcoincidentholes of both plates and having spring-pressed lugs at theirends, and wings pivotally connected to the outer edges of said platesand held tight against the inner surface of said cylinder by the springpressure on said plates, substantially as set forth.

4. In a rotary engine, the cylinder having steam-inlet and outlet ports,the piston-head or wheel mounted in said cylinder having two oppositelongitudinal slots, plates fitted in said slots having coincident holestherein, hollow tubes extended into said coincident holes of bothplates, lugs in botlfends of said tubes and a spring in each of saidtubes bearing outwardly on said lugs forcing the outer ends of saidplates toward the inner surface of said cylinder, substantially as setforth.

5. In a rotary engine, the cylinder having wheel having opposite slidingplates and wings pivoted to the outer longitudinal edges of said plateshaving widened ends and narrow connecting portions, substantially as setforth.

7. In a rotary engine, the piston-head or wheel having opposite slots,plates fitted in said slots having knuckles or rounded flanges on theirouter longitudinal edges, wings having sockets conforming to saidknuckles or flanges and also having widened ends and narrow connectingportions, and springs bearing outwardly on said plates holding saidwings in contact with the piston-cylinder, substantially as set forth.

8. In a rotary engine, the cylinder having steam-inlet and outlet ports,said inlet ports at their inner ends being elongated in the direction ofthe curvature of said cylinder, the

piston-head or wheel having opposite sliding plates, and wings pivotedon the outer longitudinal edges of said plates having narrow centralportions and outer widened ends, substantially as set forth.

9. In a rotary engine the combination of the cylinder having a slot inits upper portion, a friction-plate having upper slightly flared flangesfitted in said slot, and the eccentrically mounted piston-head or wheeldesigned to contact with said plate, substantially as set forth.

10. In a rotary engine, the combination of the cylinder having a slot inits upper portion, a friction plate having upper slightly flared flangesfitted in said slot, a plate restin g on said flanges, adjusting screwsbearing against said latter plate, and the eccentrically arrangedpiston-head or wheel, substantially as set forth.

11. In a rotary engine, the combination with the cylinder havinghead-plates, of the piston-head or wheel eccentrically mounted in saidcylinder,a follower-plate fitting against one end of said piston-heador'wheel, and having a hub projecting through one of said head-plates,and adjustable means for engaging said hub for adjusting and holdingsaid follower plate, substantially as set forth.

12. In a rotary engine,the combination with the cylinder, and thehead-plates therefor-having eccentrically arranged openings, of thepiston-head or wheel having its shaft extended through said openings,the follower-plate having a threaded -hub extended through said openingof one of said head-plates, ad- ,j ustable means for forcing saidfollower plate against one end of said piston-head or wheel, and thejam-nut working on said threaded hub and binding against saidhead-plate, substantially as set forth.

13. In a rotary engine, the combination with the cylinder, of the pistonhead or wheel, the follower-plate fitted against one end of saidpiston-head or Wheel, the circular-washers adjacent to saidfollower-plate, and the adj usting nut for binding said washers againstsaid follower-plate, substantially as set forth.

14. The combination with the cylinder having an interior screw-thread,of the pistonhead or wheel, the follower-plate fitted against one end ofsaid piston-head or wheel, the circular washers, and the threadedadjusting nut engaging said thread of said cylinder and binding saidWashers against said follower-plate, substantially as set forth.

15. The combination with the cylinder having an internal screw-thread,and the headplates having eccentrically arranged openings, of thepiston-head or wheel, the shaft therefor, the circular follower-platefitted against one end of said piston-head or wheel and having athreaded hub extended through the opening in one of said head-plates,the circularwashers, the threaded adjusting nut working in the thread ofsaid cylinder for binding said washers against said pistonhead, and thejam-nut working on said threaded hub and designed to bind against theadjacent head-plate, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I have signed this specification in the presence oftwo subscribing witnesses.

FRANK M. BAILEY.

\Vitnesses:

H. O. GILBERT, LANDON PARMELE.

